Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Burnsie on November 21, 2025, 10:03:45 pm

Title: Sharpies - No Go for Bow Layout
Post by: Burnsie on November 21, 2025, 10:03:45 pm

Well - I learned a new lesson - don't use a Sharpie to lay out your bow on the back of you bow. The lines laying out the profile of the limbs are OK because they end up getting scraped/rasped away.  Lines drawn perpendicular across the limb/ bow, and left for any length of of time will leave a stain that won't come out.  The black color will scrape off, but it will leave a line.  I've worked on the lines, but I was afraid to be too aggressive for fear of violating the back ring. I'm hoping it will all turn the same amber color over  time?

Title: Re: Sharpies - No Go for Bow Layout
Post by: Badger on November 21, 2025, 10:46:29 pm

  It looks like you drew the lines 10 years ago. Put it in a room with some light and it will even out a little bit.

Title: Re: Sharpies - No Go for Bow Layout
Post by: WhistlingBadger on November 21, 2025, 11:43:35 pm

Try wiping it with rubbing alcohol.  Sharpie ink is soluble in alcohol.

Title: Re: Sharpies - No Go for Bow Layout
Post by: Pat B on November 22, 2025, 12:22:19 am

I do all my layout with a carpenters pencil and never had problems removing them with a light scraping or light sanding or indenting the wood.

Title: Re: Sharpies - No Go for Bow Layout
Post by: bentstick54 on November 22, 2025, 12:40:52 am

Yep, only pencil for me.

Title: Re: Sharpies - No Go for Bow Layout
Post by: sleek on November 22, 2025, 01:09:52 am

Sand it all down smooth, its patina WILL come back. You can speed it up with ammonia.

Title: Re: Sharpies - No Go for Bow Layout
Post by: Pat B on November 22, 2025, 02:45:38 am

Or just sunlight.  (-S

Title: Re: Sharpies - No Go for Bow Layout
Post by: bjrogg on November 22, 2025, 06:55:13 am

I agree with Badger.

It looks like a tan line

Exposure to sunlight will darken it

Bjrogg